Seriously, another feather in the Rules of Golf fiasco plume...
Mike Tokito for The Oregonian explains how Juli Inkster should be in second place of the Safeway Classic, but was instead disqualified for an absurd rules breach once again missed by officials but picked up by one of the six people watching the telecast.
Instead, Inkster was disqualified for violating Rule 14-3 of the United States Golf Association's "Rules of Golf," which bars the use of practice devices during rounds. The USGA's "Decisions on the Rules of Golf" specifically addresses weighted headcovers and "donuts" used at make clubs heavier to help players get loose. Their use is barred during rounds.
Inkster used the donut while waiting to hit her tee shot on the par-5 10th hole, which had backed up as players waited in the fairway to attempt to hit the green in two shots. Inkster gave the Golf Channel an interview on the tee, then slid the donut on her 9-iron to get loose, and footage of her practice swings was show on the Golf Channel.
A viewer saw it and e-mailed tournament officials, who forwarded the e-mail to the LPGA rules staff.
"I had a 30-minute wait, and I needed to loosen up," Inkster, who quickly left the course and did not speak to reporters, told a member of the LPGA media relations staff. "It had no effect on my game whatsoever, but it is what it is. I'm very disappointed."
Hey, at least they let Inkster finish the round. If only Sarah Brown could have been so fortunate.